Machine for making link mesh.



A. 0. PRATT. MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 10, 1909.

Patented Feb.8, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. G. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH. v APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1909. 94 1 5,Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' ATTORNEY A. G. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-.10, 1909.

Patented Feb.-8, 1910. 5 SHEETS-SHEET s. 4

WITNESSES:

A. G. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.10, 1909.

948, 6 1 5 Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4. Fay 9.

A. O. PRATT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1909. 94,6 1 ,5 vPatented Feb. 8, 1910.

7 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

ATTORNEYS ALONZO COMSTOCK PRATT, OI NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR MAKING LINK MESH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Application filed March 1t), 1909. Serial No. 482,634.

Io all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .ALoNzo COMSTOCK PRATT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MaehinesforMaking Link Mesh, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for making intermeshing links fromstrips of wire and is directed particularly to the provision of amachine for making fabric of the characterknown as ring-mesh. This meshconsists of a multiplicity of rings or tints each linked with aplurality of other in (s.

The invention involves the provision of a support for the portion of themesh which has been made and forming-tools for making additional linksmeshing with those whichhave been made in accordance with the design ofthe fabric. This support and the forming-tools are moved relatively stepby step so that the successive links made by the tools are added to themesh in the proper manner and at the proper points.

Thus, the support for the fabric which has been made may be -moved stepby step a distance proportional to the spacing of the links of the mesh,and when one row of links has been com leted, the support may be movedrelative y to the tools to a position for adding another row. Such anarrangement of the parts may be employed in making a flat strip of thering-mesh fabric, but in the preferred embodiment of my invention, Iemploy parts so constructed that the fabric is made in the form of asleeve and in this sleeve the links of the mesh are arranged in aspiral, as in making a mesh of this character the relative movement ofthe support for the fabric and the formingtools may be the same in everycase instead of being the same only throu hout the operation of makinthe links 0%a single row. In a machine Ior making such ring-mesh in theform of a sleeve with the links spirally arranged, I employ a supportingdevice for the fabric consisting of a mandrel having a spiral threadthereon corres 0nding with the spiral arrangement 0 the links, and thesleeve of the mesh is caused to move about this mandrel step by step sothat each time the forming-tools operate they will add a link at theproper point. In a sleeve of the ring-mesh thus made, there are ridgesand depressions running lengthwise of the sleeve and formed by the linesof links and the rotation of the sleeve upon the mandrel may be causedby intermittently rotating a part which surrounds the sleeve upon themandrel and whose surface is provided with longitudinall extendingridges coacting with the longitudinal depressions in the mesh.lflach-tlme the mesh comes torest after one of its movements, theforming-tools are automatically operated to form a link from a strip. ofwire in such manner as to cause this link to mesh with the desired linkswhich have already been added to the-fabric. The wire for the links ispreferably fed to the forming-tools automatlcally from a continuousstrand of wire and a piece of the proper length is cut off and bent bythe tools to the proper configuration. In combination with these parts,I may employ a soldering device for unitin the ends of each piece ofwire which is use to form a link. This soldering device maybe of anysuitable type as for instance an electric welding device or a blowpipeflame, and in the latter case either soldering material may be appliedto the joint.

between the ends of the piece of wire before the flame is applied forreducing the metal at this point, or the wire used may have a suflicientamount of soldering material therein to permit of welding together theends of a piece of wire by merely applying the torch thereto.

I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention in the accompanyingdrawings in wl1ich- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the machine,Fig. 2 is a top view of the same broken away and sectioned in part, Fig.3 is a detail view in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7and 8 are horizontal sectional views through the forming-tools showingthe sequence of operation of these parts, Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionthrough one of the forming-tools and the support for the mesh, Fig. 10is a detail View in elevation of a portion of the mechanism shown inFig. 9, Fig. 11 is a view of the mesh made on the machine, Fi 12 is asection on line 12 12 of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a sectional elevationshowing the wire-feeding mechanism, and Figs. 14: and 15 are detailviews illustrating a modification.

table on which is mounted a mandrel 2 the upper portion of which isprovided with spirally arranged grooves, as best shown in Fig.- 9, thenumber of these spiral grooves depending upon the number of pairs offorming-tools employed; in Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive 1 have shown amachine provided with four sets of formin -tools; the mandrel 2 is,therefore, provided with two spirally arranged grooves upon the surfacethereof, the size of these grooves being proportioned to the size of thelinks used in making the mesh. A ring 3 is supported upon the table 1 bymeans of posts 4 and forms a bearing for a sleeve 5 which fits withinthe ring. On the interior surface of the sleeve 5are a plurality ofridges and depressions, as shown at 6 in Fig. 2, these extending in thedirection of the axis of the sleeve. The sleeve of ring-mesh made by themachine is adapted to lie in the narrow space between the sleeve 5 andthe mandrel 2 and the ridges 6 upon the interior surface of the sleeve 5are adapted to project into the shallow depressions between the lines ofrings of the mesh so that when sleeve 5 is rotated it will cause thesleeve of mesh to rotate with it; and as the spirally arranged ridges onthe" mandrel 2 project into the corresponding depressions on the innerside of the mesh, it will be evident that when the sleeve of ring-meshis rotated by the sleeve 5 it will follow the spirally arranged groovesand depressions upon the mandrel 2; in other words, as the sleeve ofring-mesh is rotated about the sta- 35. tionary mandrel 2 it will becaused to move mand upward1 vertically by the threads upon the On theexterior of the sleeve 5 are formed ratchet teeth 7 adapted to beengaged by a pawl 8 pressed forward by a spring 9 in an opening formedin a shaft 10. This shaft extends downwardly through an opening in thepost 4 and a bearing 11 secured to the frame of the machine, and at itslower end has a bell-crank lever 12 secured thereto. One end of thislever carries a roller 13 which is held by a spring 14 secured to theother end of lever 12 against the periphery of a cam 15, secured upon ashaft 16 which is driven from any suitable source of power. Thus, ineach rotation of shaft 16 and cam 15 the shaft 10 is rocked in itsbearings and the pawl 8 carried thereby causes the sleeve 5 to'rotate adistance equal to one of the teeth of the rack 7, and in this positionsleeve 5 is held by aspring-pressed retaining pawl 17.

The mandrel 2 is hollow and four radial openings are provided thereinall in the same transverse plane and equally spaced apart. These fouropenings receive reciprocating dies 18. Within the mandrel 2 is a ring19 having four depending spring-fingers 20 secured thereto the ends ofwhich enter notches in the dies 18; these springs are arranged to drawthe dies 18 inwardly to the plunger has four cam surfaces 22 formedthereon such that when the plunger is raised these cam surfaces willengage the inner ends of the dies 18 and force the dies radially outwardagainst the tension of the springs 20. At its lower end the plunger 21is secured to a cross-head 23 having four radiating arms the ends ofwhich are pivotally connected to levers 24 whose other ends arep-ivotally connected to levers 25 pivotally mounted upon the table 1.The cross-head 23 has a connecting rod 26 pivotally connected theretoand the other end of this rod is pivotally connected to cranks 27 uponthe shaft 16.

Mounted upon the table 1 are four blocks '28 symmetrically disposedabout the mandrel 2 and in each of these blocks is a horizontal openingin which the plunger 29 is adapted to reciprocate. In this plunger is ahorizontally disposed opening through which a die-rod 30 is adapted toreciprocate. At its rear end the die-rod 30 is pivotally connected tothe upper end of its respective lever 25. lever 25 and its die-rod 30 isformed to provide a housing 31 for a spring 32 the end of which isadapted to engage the adjacent end of the plunger 29 and move theplunger forward in the opening in block 28 until further movement of theplunger is arrested and such forward movement of the die-rod 30 andthehousing 31 as takes place after the movement of plunger 29 has beenarrested, merely results in a further compression of spring 32. On theouter end of the plunger 29 is a depending projection which carries anadjustable screw 33. The end of this screw is adapted to engage one endof a bellcrank lever 34 which is pivotally mounted in an opening onblock 28 below the opening for the plunger 29. The other end of thebell-crank lever 34 is normally held in the raised position :in'which itis shown in Figs. 1 and 9 by a plunger 35 reciprocating in an opening inblock 28 and supported by a spring 36. This end of lever 34 carries ananvil 37 which, when lever 34 is in the position in which it is shown inFigs. 1 and 9, lies opposite the end of the plunger 29 and the die-rod30.

l/Vhen plunger 29 moves forward in its opening in block 28 the end ofscrew 33 engages the end of lever 34 and rocks the lever on its pivotagainst the tension of spring 36 until the upper end of the anvil 37 isbelow the rod 30, and as this occurs, the end of screw 33 engages thewall of the block 28 on either side of the opening in the block forlever 34 and thus arrests further movement of the plunger 29. When theplunger 29 moves forward thus, it severs a length of The connectionbetween each wire sufiicient'for making one'lin'k; this wire is fed inthrough. an opening-provided for that pur ose in the block 28 by meansof a wiref ing device shown in Fig. 13. This device consists of-a lever38 pivotally mounted upon the table 1 and carrying a gripping member 39and a coacting pivotally mountripping member 40.. Below its pivot theever 38 has a rod 41 pivotally connected thereto the opposite end ofwhich extends loosely through an openin .in an offset 42 on the leverand has a ,ustable nuts 43 secured thereon adapted to coact with theoffset 42 so that in the movement-of lever 25 for retracting the die-rod30, the end ofrod 41 will slide loosely through the oiiset 42 until atthe end of the movement of lever 25 the offset engages nuts 43 and thusactuates the lever 38 to feed the strand of wire 44 forward through theopening provided in block 28.. The extent of movement of these parts ofthe feeding mechanism is such that.

the wire 44 is fed forwardly a distance equal to thewidth of the openingin block 28 for the plunger 29 and at the end of this feeding movementthe end of the wire bears against the wall of the opening for plunger 29opposite the wall through which the wire passed. The opening throughwhich the wire is inserted is formed by a bushing 45, preferably made ofhardened steel, so that its end may be used as a cutting die. The

other member of the cutter is formed on or.

secured to the plunger 29 and is shown at 46 in Fig. 4. The wire 44 isdrawn from a supply reel, and it will be understood that a supply ofwire is provided for each of the four sets of formingtools, as shown inFig. 2.

-In the wall of the opening in the plunger 25) for the die-rod 30 is alengthwise groove 47 adapted to receive a pin upon the rod 30, as shownin Fig. 4. Near the other end of plunger 29 the opening therethrough isenlarged to provide a space in which is received a sleeve 48 on the rod30. This, sleeve has a slot therein adapted to receive a pin 49 on therod 30. he end ofsleeve 48 extends beyond the end of rod 30 and is cutto provide prongs'fiO, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9.. These prongs extendtoward each other a slight amount and the metal of sleeve 48 is suchthat the prongs have a spring-action permitting itneir ends to be movedaway from each other until the lie in line with the bodyportion of the seeve. The ends of the prongs 50 are grooved sl' htly and the end 0pluner 29, s provide with a similar groove in ine with the grooves inthe prongs 50 and directly opposite the wire 44 when the latter has beenfed in the openingfor plunger 29 and between that plunger and the anvll37. Referring now to Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive,

each of the four plungeis 29 and die-rods 30 lie opposite one of thedies 18, and the adjacent ends of the rods 30 and members, 18

have semicircular die-grooves formed thereon and facing each other. Thefollowin r operations take place simultaneously on cue of the four setsofring-forming tools. Fig. 4 shows the position of the parts when theplunger 29 and rod.30 have been moved to the extreme outward positionand the wirefeeding device has been actuated to feed the end of the wireacrossthe opening for plunger 29; with the parts in this position thecross-head 23 is moved upwardly thereby turning all of the levers 25 ontheir pivots. This causes the'die-rod 30 to move radially inward and thespring 32 moving with the die-rod causes the plunger 29 to move with thedie-rod until these parts arrive at the position shown in Fig. 5. Inmaking this movement the cutting member 46 on the plunger 29 cuts offthe piece of wire lying in the opiening for plunger 29, and this pieceis of su cient length to form one ring. Immediately after the piece ofwire is severed it is pressed against the anvil 37 by the prongs 50 ofthe sleeve 48, and is bent by these prongs to the form of a staple, as

shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The spring-action of the prongs 50 permits theseprongs to move outwardly a. slight distance, if such movement isnecessary, while the ends of the prongs are passing the widest portionof the anvil 37, and immediately after the ends of the prongs pass thiswidest portion, their spring-action causes them to press the ends of theiece of wire alongside the inclined walls 0 the anvil beyond the widestportion of the latter. Just as the parts reach this position, that is,when the parts have passed slightly beyond the position in which theyare shown in Fig. 5, the anvil 37 is withdrawn by the movement ofplunger 29 and its coaction with lever 34. The movementof plunger 29 isthen arrested but the movement of die-rod 3O continues. The sleeve 48moves with the die-rod 30 during the latters continued movement due tothe clamping action of prongs 50 and the parts are carried to theposition in which they are shown in Fig. 6. As rod 30 nears thisposition, the dies 18 on the mandrel are moved radially outward by thecams 22coacting with their innerends and as the movement of rod 30continues the ends of the staple are carried into the semi-circulardie-groove in the die 18. The ends of prongs 50, however, engage the die18 on either side of the die-groove 1n the latter and as the movement ofrod 30 continues the sleeve 48 remains at rest, such movement of the rodwithin the sleeve being permitted by the groove in the sleeve in whichpin 49 is received. The movement of rod 30 continues and the ends of thestaple are thereby forced into'the die-groove in the die 18, the partsbeing then in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 7, andfurther movenient of rod 30 causes the endsof the staple. tocome.together and the staple to be formed into a perfect ring. Rod 30 is thenmoved in the opposite direction, the sleeve 45 moving with it, and whenthis backward movement has progressed so far that the pm engages the endof the groove 47 in plunger 29, the three parts 48, 30 and '29 moveoutwardly together. At the beginning of the movement of plunger 29 thebell-crank lever 34 is released so that the anvil 37 is carried to itsupper position by spring 36 and at the end of the movement of the rod 30and lever 25 the wire-feedin device isoperated to feed another length 0wire across the opening for plunger 29 and opposite the end of thatplunger.

The support for the ring-mesh which has been made holds the mesh in sucha definite relation to the forming-tools that when a staple is formedand moved forward by these tools its ends are projected through twoadjacent rings of the mesh, as shownin Figs. 7 and 8, and this staple isthen formed into a ring, thus adding one rin to the mesh in the properrelation to the ot er rings. A portion of the mesh is shown in Fig. 11and it will be seen that rin 52 is interlinked with the two rings 53 anwhen another link is added below these links, it will be made tointerlink with the link 52 and the link 52. Fig. 11 shows the mesh inthe form of a flat strip of the ring-mesh fabric but it will beuiulerstood that the machine as above described, makes the mesh in theform of a sleeve. From an inspection of this figure, it will be seenthat the lines of rings are arranged at a slight incline to thehorizontal and in the sleeve of the ring-mesh fabric this inclination issuch that the lines of rings constitute a spiral around the sleeve. Asthe machine above described has four sets of forming-tools, the sleeveof ring-mesh has two lines of spirally arranged rows of rings each rowconslsting of two sets of rings, one indicated by the numerals 52, 52and .the other indicated by the numerals 53, 53'. Also it will be seenthat the rings of the. mesh are arranged in vertical rows and that the.rings of alternate rows are inclined in opposite direct-ions. Thus, therings indicated by the letter A, are inclined outwardly in the downwarddirection and the rings of the row indicated by the letter B areincliued backwardly in the downward direction. This difference in theinclination of the rings of the finished'fabric is clearly shown in Fig.12. When the rings are made on the machine and the dies are withdrawnfrom a completed ring there' "is a natural tendency of the ring to fallto the position of the rings A, that is, the outer end of the ring willdropdownwardly if it is not prevented from doing so. For this reason therings made by two of the sets of formingtools are allowed to fall intothe position of the rings A and the rings made by the other two sets offorming-tools are caused to assume the position of the rings B. This iseffected by means of small spring-fingers 54 (Fig. 4) on two of the dies18, the ends of these fingers being turned downwardly so that they lieopposite the semi-circular diegrooves in the dies 18. Thus, when a ringis made by either of these two sets of forming-tools and the dies arewithdrawn, the hook 54. of the die 18 of that set catches the inner edgeof the ring and draws that edge of the ring inwardly and then releasesthe ring whereupon the latter falls to the position of the rings B.

By reference to Fig. 11 it will be seen that the portions of the rings Aalong the section line 1212 project outwardly a slight distance beyondthe portions of the rings along a line intermediate between a linethrough the center of the rings A and a line through the center of therings B so that a slight depression in the ringmesh fabric occurs alongthis intermediate line. It is these depressions into which the ridgesupon the sleeve 5 extend in order that the sleeve 5 may cause the fabricto turn upon the mandrel 2. As the proper coaction of the member 2 withthe mesh is necessary in order to cause the mesh to be accuratelypositioned with respect to the forming-tools, I have provided means forguarding against the relative movement of the mesh and sleeve 5circumferentially of the mandrel such as would result in a wedgingofsome of the rings between the ridges on sleeve 5 and the mandrel. Thisis effected by causing the sleeve 5 to move intermittently in thedirection of its axis, such movement resulting in causing the lines ofrings to move back into proper position relatively to the ridges anddepresslons on member 5, if the mesh or any portion thereof has movedout of its proper position. This vertical movement of sleeve 5 may beeffected in any suitable manner. Thus it may be positively moved bothupwardly and downwardly by a cam action between the sleeve and the ring3 forming a bearing therefor. The upward movement of sleeve 5, however,need not be positively effected, as this ring has a tendency to moveupward as the mesh moves upward, in accordance with the threads of themandrel 2. I have, therefore, shown only a means for moving the sleeve 5back to its normal position. Mounted on sleeve 5 is a roller 56 adaptedto coact with a projection 57 on the bottom of the ring 3. When theseparts are in the position in which they are shown in Figs. 9 and 10 andthe machine is operated, the sleeve 5 will be moved upwardly inaccordance with the threads on mandrel 2 until the sleeve 5 has made onerevolution and at the end of this revolution the roller 56 will engagethe projection 57 and force the sleeve 5 downwardly. During suchdownward movement of sleeve 5, the mesh is caused to assume its properposition relatively to the grooves and ridges on the illner surface ofsleeve 5.

The operation of the machine has been described in connection with thedescription of its construction but may be summarized as follows: Instarting the machine I utilize a short. length of ring-mesh in the formof a sleeve made by hand and this is inserted over the end of themandrel 2, and thereafter the sleeve 5 is inserted in position. Themachine is then started and at each rotation of shaft 16 a length ofwire is fed forward opposite the end of each plunger 29 and the plunger29, rod 30 and die 18 of each of the four sets of forming-tools areoperated to form a ring interlinked with the rings of the fabric onmandrel 2, in the manner above described. Two of the sets offorming-tools arranged diametrically opposite each other, form the rings52, 52 which are inclined outwardly in the downward direction and theother two sets of formin -tools form the rings 53, 53'

which incline lnwardly in a downward direction. After the forming-toolshave operated and while they are being withdrawn, the cam 15 operates toturn the sleeve 5 one step of the ratchet wheel 7 and when sleeve 1 5moves thus, it moves the sleeve of mesh with it about the stationarymandrel 2. During this rotational movement of the mesh, the latter israised vertically an amount. dependent upon the pitch of the threads onmandrel 2, so that the mesh is then in a position to have four ringsadded thereto meshing in the proper manner with the links alreadyconstituting parts of the fabric.

In a ring-mesh fabric of the character above described, it is highlydesirable to have the ends of the piece of wire from which a rin isformed joined together, so that there w1ll be no break in the rlng, asin this way a fabric of more attractive appearance is made and one whichpossesses much greater strength. I have therefore provided means forwelding together the ends of the wire from which a link is formed. Thiswelding device may be of any suitable construct-ion, as for instance, anelectric welding device, by means of whlch an electr1c current isutilized to reduce the metal at the ends of a length of wire, so thatthese ends will become joined; or I may provide means for applying asoldering material to the ends of the mm for a link and then applyablowpipe flame to these ends to reduce the metal thereof. Anothermethod which I may employ is to use, in making the ring-mesh, a wirehaving therein a sufiicient amount of soldering material to permit ofwelding the ends together without adding any soldering .respects themachine shown in these figures material at the joint. For this purpose Imay employ only a suitable blow pipe burner arranged in such positionthat the flame therefrom will play upon the ends of the piece of wire ofeach link. Such a blowplpe burner is shown at 58 in Fig. 15. This burneris mounted in such position with relation to the forming-tools that asthe sleeve of mesh is carried around the mandrel 2 each linkstops, whileanother link is being formed, at such a point that the joint therein isdirectly opposite the burner and the burner plays upon the metal at thejoint in the ring for a length of time sufiicient to reduce the metal atthat point and cause the ends to become joined.

In Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive I have shown a machine having four sets offorming-tools and a mandrel provided with two parallel spiral grooves.If desired, however, a greater or less number of sets of formingtoolsmay be employed. Thus, in Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown a machine havingtwo sets of forming-tools and a mandrel provided with a single spiralthread. In other is llke that above described, with the exception thatthe set of forming-tools which makes the rings inclined inwardly in adownward direction is diametrically opposite that set which forms therings WhlCh are inclined outwardly in a downward direction.

Any variation in the embodiment of my invention, such as that indicatedabove, I consider within the'scope of my invention and I aim to coverall such modifications by the terms of the appended claims.

It will be apparent that machines differing widely in their constructionfrom those above described may be constructed while still utilizing theprinciples of my invention; thus certain of the features of my inventionmay be em loyed in making ring-mesh in the form of a fiat strip, such asthat illus trated in Fig. 11, though I prefer to make the mesh in theform of a sleeve, as above described. These and other modifications ofmy invention I consider as coming within the broader aspects of myinvention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire'tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a 129 plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links anda plurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools for forming links intermeshing with those of saidfabric, means for op- 125 crating said tools, and means for effecting arelative movement of said fabric bodily and said tools to presentdifferent portions of said fabric to said tools to receive links,

substantially as set forth. 3o

2. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows,

forming-tools for forming links intermeslr mg with those of sald fabric,means for feeding wire to said tools, a cutter for the wire, means foroperating the tools, and means for efiecting a relative bodily movementof said fabric and said tools to present different portions of saidfabric to the tools to receive links, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabric,link-forming devices, means for operating said devices to form links andintermesh each of said links with a plurality of the links of thefabric, and means for moving said support and said link-forming devicesrelatively, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabric,link-forming devices, means for feeding wire thereto, a cutter for thewire, means for operating said devices to form links from the pieces ofwire and intermesh each of the links with aplurality of the links ofsaid fabric, and means for moving said support and said link-formingdevices relatively, substantially as set forth. y

5. The combination of a support for a series of intermeshing links,forming-tools, means for moving said intermeshing links and said toolsrelatively, and means for actuating said tools to automatically form astaple, then link said staple with said intermeshing links and then formsaid staple into a link, substantially as set forth.

6. The combinatlon of a. support for a series of intermeshing links,forming-tools, means for moving said intermeshing links and said toolsrelatively, means for feeding wire to said forming-tools, means forsevering said wire, and means for operating said forming tools toautomatically form a staple from a piece of the wire thus severed, thenlink said staple with said intermeshing links and then form said stapleinto a link, sub stantially as set forth.

7. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting-of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools for forming links intermeshing with the links ofsaid fabric, means for moving said supporting means and said toolsrelatlvely to present different portions of said fabric to said tools toreceive links,

and'means for operating said tools to form a staple, link said staplewith said intermeshin links, and form said staple into a link, sustantially as set forth.

8. The combination of means for supportple, link said staple with aplurality of the 7 links of said fabric and form said staple into link,substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality ;-=9 f parallel rows of intermeshing linksandj'a plurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse tosaid rows, forming-tools for forming links intermeshing with the linksof said fabric, means for moving said support and said tools relatively30 to present difierent portions of said fabric to said tools to receivelinks, and means for operating said tools to form links, each linkmeshing with a plurality of the links of said fabric, substantially asset forth.

10. The'combination of means for sup porting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of rows of intermeshing links ;and a pluralityof parallel rows of links substantially transverse to said rows, a pairof die-members mounted on opposite sides of the fabric supported by saidmeans, means for moving said supporting means and said die-membersrelatively to present differentportions of said fabric to saiddiemembers, and means for moving said diemembers relatively toward andaway from each other to form links intermeshing with the links of saidfabric, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of rows of i'ntermeshing links and a pluralityof parallel rows of links substantially transverse to said rows, 2. pairof die-members mounted on opposite sides of the fabric supported by saidmeans, means for moving said supporting means and said die-membersrelatively to present different portions of said fabric to said die-.members, and means for moving said diemembers relatively toward and awayfrom each other to form links and intermesh each of said links with aplurality of the links of said fabric, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of rows of intermeshing links and a pluralityof parallel rows of links substantially transverse to said rows, pair ofdiemembers mounted on .opposite sides of the fabric supported by saidmeans, means for moving said supporting means and said die-membersrelatively to present different portions of said fabric to saiddiemembers, means for feeding wire to said tools, acutter for the Wire,and means for moving said die-members relatively toward and away fromeach other to form a staple intermesh said staple with a plurality ofthe links of said fabric and then form said staple into a link,substantially as set forth.

13. The combination of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools for forming links intermeshing with those of saidfabric, means for operating said tools, and means for effecting a.

relative movement of said fabric bodily and said tools about an axis topresent different portions of said fabric to said tools to receivelinks, substantially as set forth.

H. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for moving said tools and said supportingmeans relatively about an axis to present differentportions of saidfabric to said tools to receive links, and means for operating saidtools to form a staple, interlink said staplewith a plurality of thelinks of said fabric and form said staple into a link, substantially asset forth.

' 15(The combination of a supportfor a piece of link-mesh fabric, a pairof diemembers mounted on opposite sides of said piece of fabric, meansfor moving said support and said die-members relatively about an axis,means for feeding wire to said diemcmbers. a cutter for the wire, andmeans for moving said die-members relatively to and and away from eachother to form links from said wire, each intermeshing with a pluralityof the links of said fabric, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination of means for supporting apiece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality'of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, automatic means for moving said tools and saidsupporting means relatively to present differentportions of said fabricto said tools, and means for operating said tools automatically to formlinks intermeshing with the links of said fabric and arranged insubstantially parallel rows, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of means for supporting a iece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a p urality of parallel rows of intermeshing' links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for. operating said tools automatically toform a staple, interlink said staple with a plurality of the links ofsaid fabric and form said staple into a link, and means forautomatically moving said tools and said supporting means relatively topresent difi'erent' portions of said fabric to said tools and arportinga piece of link-mesh fabric, a pair of die-members mounted on oppositesldes of said piece of fabric, means for feeding wire to saiddie-members, means for cutting the wire, meansfor moving thedie-memberstoward and awayfrom each other to form links from "said wireeach meshing with a plurality of the links of said fabric, and means forautomatically moving said sup-' porting means and said die-membersrelatively to present different portions of the fabric to said tools andarrange the links formed by said die-members in substantially parallelrows, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination-of a support for a piece of link-mesh fabric,forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively inthe direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, and means for operating said tools to form links on said fabriceach interlinked with a plurality of other links, substantially as setforth.

20. The combination of asupport for a piece of 'linkmesh fabric,formingtools, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively inthe direction of the length and in .the direction of the width of thefabric, means for feeding wire to said formingtools, and means foroperating said tools to form links on said fabric each interlinked witha plurality of other links, substantially as set forth.

21. The combination of means for supporting a piece of'link-mesh fabric,forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and saidtools relatively inthe direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, meansfor feeding Wire to said forming-tools, means forseveringfrom said wire a piece for a link, and means foroperating saidtools to form links on said fabric each interlinked with a plurality ofother links, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively inthe direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, means for feeding Wire to said forming-tools, and means foroperating said toolsgto sever pieces from said wire and form the piecesso severed into links meshing with those of said 'fabric, substantiallyas set forth.

23. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively inthe direction of the length and inthe direction of the width of thefabric, and means for operating said forming-tools to form staples, linksaid staples with the links of said fabric, and form said staples intolinks, substantially as set forth.

24. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and said tools .relativelyin the direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, means for feeding wire to said tools, means for severing piecesfrom said wire, and means for o crating said forming tools to formstaples, ink said staples with the links of said fabric, and form saidstaples into links, substantially as set forth.

25. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,a pair of forming-tools located on opposite sides of the fabric on saidsupport, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively in thedirection of the length and in the direction of the width of the fabric,and means for moving said tools toward and away from each other to formlinks intermeshing with the links of said fabric, substantially as setforth.

2G. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,a pair of forming-tools located on opposite sides of the fabric on saidsupport, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively in thedirect-ion of the length and in the direction ofthe width of the fabric,means for feeding wire to said forming-tools, means for severing saidwire, and means for moving said tools toward and away from each other toform links interlinked with the links of said fabric, substantially asset forth.

27. The combination of means for sup porting a piece of link-meshfabric, a pair of forming-toolslocated on opposite sides of the fabricon said support, means for moving said fabric and said tools relativelyin the direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, and means for operating said tools to form staples, interl-inksaid staples with the links of said fabric, and form said staples intolinks, substantially as set forth.

28. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,a pair of forming-tools located on opposite sides of the fabric on saidsupport, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively in thedirection of the length and in the direction of the width of-the fabric,means for feeding wire tosaid tools, and means for moving said toolstoward and away from each other to sever a piecefrom said wire, formsaid piece into a staple, interlink said staple with the links of saidfabric, and form said staple into a link, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for automatically moving said supportingmeans and said tools relatively step by step to present differentvportions of said piece of fabric to said tools, and means for operatingsaid tools automatically during the intervals of rest of said step bystep movement to form links meshing with the links of said fabric,substantially as set forth.

30. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for automatically moving said supportingmeans and said tools relatively step by step to present differentportions of said iece of fabric to said tools, meansfor feedlng wire tosaid tools, acutter for the wire, and

means for operating said tools automatically during the intervals ofrest of said step by step movement to form links each meshing with aplurality of the links of said fabric, substantially as set forth.

31. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a lurality of parallel rows of intermeshing inks and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for automatically moving said supportingmeans and said tools relatively step by step to present differentportions of said piece of fabric to said tools, and means for operatingsaid tools automatically during the intervals of rest of said step'bystep movement to form a staple, link said sta le with a plurality of thelinks of said abric and form said staple into a link, substantially asset forth. 1

82. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for automatically moving said supportingmeans and said tools relatively step by step to present differentportions of said piece of fabric to said tools, and means for operatingsaid tools automatically during the intervals of rest of said step bystep movement to form links meshing with the links of said fabric, therelative movement of said supporting means and said tools being suchthat the links formed by said tools are arranged in substantiallyparallel rows, substantially as set forthp,

33. The combination of means .for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality ofparallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for automatically moving said supportingmeans and said tools relatively step by step in the direction of thewidth and the direction of the length of said dpiece of fabric, andmeans for operating sai tools automatically during the intervals of restof said step by step movement to form links meshing with the links ofsaid fabric, substantially as set forth.

84. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relativelyabout the axis of said piece, and means for operating said tools to formlinks interlinked with the links of said mesh, substantially as setforth. 7

35. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relativelyabout the axis of said piece, means for feeding wire to said tools,means for severing said wire, and means for operating said tools to formlinks interlinked with the links of said mesh, substantially as setforth.

36. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relativelyabout the axis of said piece, and means for operating said tools to forma staple, link said staple with the links of said mesh, and form saidstaple into a link, substantially as set forth.

37. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relatively inthe direction of the axis of said piece and in a direction substantiallytransverse thereto, and means for operating said tools to form linksinterlinked with the links of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

38. The combinationof a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relativelyabout the axis of said piece by a step-by-step movement, and means foroperating said tools to form links interlinked with the links of saidmesh during the intervals of rest of said step-by-step movement,substantially as set forth.

39. The combination of a mandrel for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel, means formoving said piece in the direction of its axis, forming-tools, and meansfor operating said tools for forming links interlinked with those ofsaid piece, substantially as set forth.

40. The combination of amandrel for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel,

means for moving said piece in the direction of its axis, forming-tools,means for feeding wire to said tools, means for severing said wire, andmeans for operating said tools to form links interlinked with the linksof said mesh, substantially asset forth.

4:1. The combination-of a mandrel for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel, means formoving said piece in the direction of its axis, forming-tools and meansfor operating said tools to form a staple, link said staple with thelinksof said mesh, and form said staple into a link, substantially asset forth. i

42. Thecombination of a mandrel for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel by astep-by-step movement, means for moving said piece in the direction ofits axis, forming-tools for forming links interlinked with the links ofsaid mesh, and means for operating said tools during the intervals ofrest of said step-by-step movement, substantially as setforth.

43. The combination of a mandrel having a spiral thread formed on thesurface there of, said mandrel being adapted to support a circular pieceof link-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel,formingtools, and means for operating said tools to form linksinterlinked with those of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

4a. The combination of a mandrel having a spiral thread formed on thesurface thereof, said mandrel being adapted to support a circular pieceof link-mesh, means for rotating said mesh upon said mandrel,forming-tools, means for feeding wire to said tools, means for severingsaid wire, and means for operating said tools to form links interlinkedwith the links of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

45. The combination of a mandrel having a spiral thread formed on thesurface thereof, said mandrel being adapted to support a circular pieceof link-mesh, means for r0- tating said piece upon said mandrel,forming-tools, and means for operating said tools to form a staple, linksaid staple with the links of said mesh, and form said staple into alink, substantially as set forth.

ettl. The combination of a mandrel having a spiral thread formedthereon, said mandrel being adapted to receive a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel step by step,formingtools, and means for operating said tools to form linksinterlinked with those of said mesh during the intervals of rest of saidstep-by-step movement, substantially as set forth.

47. The combinationof a mandrel having a splral thread formed thereon,sald mandrel being adapted to recelve a circular piece of link-mesh,means for rotating said piece upon said mandrel step by step, formingdrebeing adapted to receive a circular piece of link-mesh, means forrotating said piece upon'said mandrel step by step, formingtools, meansfor feeding wire to said tools, means for severing said wire, and meansfor operating said tools during the intervals of rest of saidstep-by-step movement to form 'a staple, link said staple with the linksof said mesh and form said staple into a link, substantially as setforth.

49. The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member belng adapted to receive between thema. circu ar piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member,forming-tools, and means for operatin said tools to form linksinterlinked with those of said mesh, substantially as set forth. s

50. The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member bein adapted to receive between them acircular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member step bystep, forming-tools, and means for operating said tools while saidmember is at rest, substantially as set forth.

51. The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member being adapted to receive between them acircular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member,forming-tools, means for feeding wire to said tools, means for cuttingsaid wire, and means for operating said tools, substantially as setforth. 7

52. The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member being adapted to receive between them acircular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating 7 said member, formingtools, and means for form sa id staple into a link. substantially as rset forth.

The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said. mandrel and member being adapted to receive between thema circular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member, a dielocated within said mandrel, a die located opposite said die, and meansfor moving said dies toward and away from each other, substantially asset forth.

54. The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member be, ing adapted to receive between thema circular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member, a die,means for moving the same toward and away'from said mandrel, aforming-member normally located in the path of said die, and means forautomatically moving said forming-member to permit said die to pass it,substantially as setforth.

55. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh, a die,means for moving said piece and said die relatively,

means for operating-said die to form links meshin with the links of saidmesh, and a projection on said die adapted to engage a link and positionthe same relatively to said mesh, substantially as set forth.

56. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh, twopairs'of dies, means for moving said piece and said -dies relatively,means for moving the dies of said pairs toward and away from each otherto form links interlinked with those of said mesh, and a projection onone of the dies of one of said pairs adapted to engage a link made bysaid pair of dies and position the link with respect to the links ofsaid-piece, substantially as set forth.

57 The combination of a mandrel having a thread formed on the surfacethereof, a member extending about said mandrel and having projectionsformed on the surface thereof adjacent to the threaded surface of themandrel, said mandrel and member being adapted to receive between them acircular piece of link-mesh, means for rotating said member, means formoving said member in the direction of the axis, and forming-tools forforming links interlinked with those of said piece, substantially as setforth.

58. In a machine for making link-mesh, a die-rod having a die formedthereon, a die opposite said die, a sleeve on said die-rod,

yielding prongs on the end of said sleeve normally inclined toward eachother, a forming'membcr, normally located opposite the end of saiddie-rod, and means for moving said forming-member, substantially as setforth.

59. The combination of means for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said toolsrelatively in the direction of the axis of said piece and in a directionsubstantially transverse thereto, means for feeding wire to said tools,means for cutting the wire, and means for operating said tools to formlinks each interlinked with a plurality of the links of said piece,substantially as set forth.

60. The combination of means for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said toolsrelatively in the direction of the axis of said piece, means for movingsaid piece and sald tools relatively about said axis, and means foroperating said tools to form links each interlinked with a plurality ofthe links of said piece, substantially as set forth.

61. The combination of means for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said toolsrelatively about the axis of said piece step by step, means for movingsaid tools and sald piece in the direction of the axis of said piece,and means for operating said tools during the intervalsof rest of saidstep by step movement to form links each interlinked with a plurality ofthe links of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

62. The combination of means for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, forming-tools, means for operating said tools to form linkseach meshing with a plurality of the links of said mesh, and means formoving said piece and said tools relatively so that the llIlkS formedbysaid tools are arranged in rows around said circular piece of mesh,substantially as set forth.

63. The combination of means for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, forming-tools, means for operating said tools to form linkseach meshing with a plurality of the links of said mesh, and means formoving said piece and said tools relatively step by step so that thelinks formed by said tools are arrangedin rows around said circularpiece of mesh, said tools being'operated in the intervals of rest ofsaid step by step movement, substantially as set forth.

64. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh,forming-tools,

means for operating said tools to form links each interlinked With aplurality of the links of said mesh, means for moving said piece andsaid tools relatively, and means 'for causing a link formed by saidtools to assume a predetermined angular relation with respect to thesurface of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

(55. The combination of means forsupporting a piece of link-mesh, twosets of forming-tools, means for o crating said sets of tools to formlinks meshing with the links of said piece, means for moving said pieceand said sets of tools relatively, and means for causing the linksformed by one of said sets of tools to assume a predetermined angularrelation with respect to the surface of said mesh, substantially as setforth.

66. The combination of means for sup-- porting a piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for operating said tools to form links interlinkedwith those of said mesh, means for moving said piece and said toolsrelatively in one direction, means for moving said piece and said toolsrelatively in a direction substantially transverse thereto, and meansfor causing a link to assume a predetermined relation with respect tothe surface of said mesh, substantially as set forth. 67. Thecombination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh, forming-tools,means for moving said piece and said tools relatively step by step inone direction, means for moving said tools and said piece relatively ina direction substantially transverse thereto, means for operating saidtools during the intervals of rest of said step by step movement to formlinks meshing with the links of said mesh, and means for causing a linkformed by said tools to assume a predetermined relation with respect tothe surface of said mesh, substantially as set forth.

68. The combination of a pair of die-members, means for reciprocatingone of said diemembers to carry it into and out of coaction with theother of said members, an anvil movable into and out of the path of movement of said reciprocating die-member, means for moving the anvil, andmeans for feeding wire between the end of said reciprocating die-memberand said anvil, substantially as set forth. 1

69. The combination of means for supporting a series of intermeshinglinks, diemembcrs mounted on opposite sides of said links, means forreciprocating one of said members, an anvil movable into and out of thepath of movement of said reciprocating die-member, means for moving theanvil, and means for feeding wire between the anvil and the end of saidreciprocating diemember, substantially as set forth.

7 0.. The combination of a pair of die-members, means for reciprocatingone of said anvil movable into and out of the path of feeding wirebetween the end of said recipsaid wire and form the same about Sll( an-'sides of said series of links, means for red a thread formed on thesurface thereof, a

movement ofsaid reciprocating die-member, means for moving the anvil,and means for rocating die-member and said anvil, said reciprocating(he-member having elastic fingers on the end thereof adapted to en agevil, substantially as set forth.

'71. The combination of a pair of die-members, means for reciprocatingone of said diemembers to carry it into and out of coaction with theother of said members, a sleeve movable upon the end of saidreciprocating die-member and having elastic fingers at the end thereof,an anvil movable into and out of the path of movement of saidreciprocating die-member, means for moving said anvil, and means forfeeding wire between said fingers and said anvil, substantially as setforth.

72. The combination of means for supporting a series of intermeshinglinks, a pair of die-members mounted on opposite ciprocating one of saidmembers to carry it into and out of coaction with the other men1= her toform a link between them intermeshing with a link of said series, and aprojection on said reciprocating die-member in position to projectwithin a link formed by the die-members and to engage said link when thereciprocating die-member is retracted, substantially as set forth.

73. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,formingtools, means for moving said fabric and said tools relatively inthe direction of the length and in the direction of the width of thefabric, means for operating said tools to form links interlinked withthose of said fabric, andmeans for soldering together the ends of thelinks made by said tools, substantially as set forth.

74. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relativelyabout the axis of said piece, means for operating said tools to formlinks interlinked with those of said mesh, and means for solderingtogether the ends of a link made by said tools, substantially as setforth.

75. The combination of a mandrel for supporting a circular piece oflink-mesh, means for rotating said piece, means for moving said piece inthe direction of its axis, forming-tools, means for o crating said toolsfor forming links interlinlled with those of said piece, and means forsoldering together the ends of a link made by said tools, substantiallyas set forth.

76. The combination of a mandrel having member extending about saidmandrel and having projections formed on the surface thereof adjacent tothe threaded surface of the mandrel, said mandrel and-member beingadapted to receive between them a circular piece of link-mesh, means foroperating said tools to form links interlinked with those of said mesh,and means for soldering together the ends of a link made by said tools,substantially as set forth.

77. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsistmg of a plurality of parallel rows of internieshing links and a'plurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools for forming links intermeshing with the links ofsaid fabric,

means for operating said tools, means for moving said supporting meansand said tools relatively to present different portions of said fabricto said tools to receive links, and means for soldering together theends of the links formed by said tools, substantially asset forth. a

78. The combination of means for supporting a piece of link-mesh fabric,linkforming devices, means for operating said devices to form links andintermesh each of said links with a plurality of the links of thefabric, means for moving said supporting means and said link-formingdevices rela tively, and means for soldering together the ends of thelinks formed by said tools, substantially as set forth.

79. The combination of a support for a series of intermeshing links,forming-tools, means for moving said intermeshing-links and said toolsrelatively, means for automatically actuating said tools to form astaple, then link said staple with said intermeshing links and then formsaid staple into a link, and means for soldering together the ends ofthe linksformed by said tools, substantially as set forth.

80. The combination of means for sup porting a piece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a plurality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, automatic means for moving said tools and saidsupporting means relatively to present different portions of said fabricto said tools, means for operating said tools automatically to formlinks intermeshing with the links of said porting a piece of link-meshfabric, forming-tools, means for moving said fabric and said toolsrelatively in the direction of the length and the direction of the Widthof the fabric, means for operating said tools to form links on saidfabric each interlinked with a plurality of other links, and means forsoldering together the ends of the links formed .by said tools,substantially as set forth. 7

82. The combination of a support for a circular piece of link-mesh,forming-tools, means for moving said piece and said tools relatively inthe-direction of the axis of said piece and in a direction substantiallytrans verse thereto, means for operatin said tools to form linksinterlinked with t e links of said mesh, and means for solderingtogether the ends of the links formed by said tools, substantially asset forth.

83(The combination of means for supporting a iece of link-mesh fabricconsisting of a p urality of parallel rows of intermeshing links and aplurality of parallel rows of links substantially transverse to saidrows, forming-tools, means for auto-,

matically moving said supporting means and said tools relatively step bystep to resent different portions of said piece of fa ric to said tools,means for operating said tools automatically during the intervals ofrest of said step by step movement to form links meshin with the linksof said fabric, and means or soldering to ether the ends of the linksformed by sai tools, the relative movement of said supporting means andsaid tools being such that the links formed by said tools are arrangedin substantially parallel rows, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 5th day of March, 1909.

A. OOMSTOCK PRATT.

Witnesses;

ROSALIE KAPLAN, y L. T. TOUSSAINT, Jr.

